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SOURCE:'Scraps' on the pugilists of Australia. Written for 'The Sportsman' SITE SOURCE: SYDNEY FOLKLORE - SECTION 3: Sport THE SPORTSMAN SONGWe've sent from Australia some famed pugilists –It's the way we do things in Australia – Lads who are terrors at using their fista – It's the way we do things in Australia. Australians who've won fame and name and renown, Who're the talk of each village, each city, and town 'Gainst whom all competitors quickly go down— It's the way we do things in Australia. Chorus It's the way we do things in Australia; Our men rarely meet with a failure; We trust not to luck, But to sinew and pluck— It's the way we do things in Australia. Australia remembers her heroes now gone— It's the way we do things in Australia; When old Harry Sallars was reckoned a don— It's the way we do things in Australia. Joe Kitchen (a hard nut to crack, so they say). Jack Carstairs (a demon he was in his day), Tom Curran the championship won right away— It's the way -we do things in Australia. It's the way, etc. Peter Jackson to battle, regardless of fear— It's the way we do things in Australia— Has gone, and we've joyously watched his career- It's the way we do things in Australia. The heavy-weights quickly before Jackson cowed, And the papers is praises of Peter were loud— In wiping the floor with the whole blessed crowd— It's the way we do things in Australia. It's the way. etc. Then Slavin to England Australia despatched— It's the way we do things in Australia; And Paddy 'gainst Smith and Kilrain both was matched- It's the way we do things in Australia. The Bruges exploit we'll not mention again, But will let the lov'd sons of old England explain, And we know Paddy Slavin quickly knocked out Kilrain— It's the way we do things in Australia. It's the way, etc. Peter Jackson, unconquered, came back to this land— It's the way we do things in Australia— And then took a' mighty big contract in hand- It's the way we do things in Australia. And Peter, regarded as quite a " Big Bug," Was pitted 'gainst Goddard (and Goddard's no "mug") For Joe showed spectators just how he could "slug "— It's the way we do things in Australia. It's the way, etc. Paddy Slavin was thirsting for Sullivan's gore— It's the way we do things in Australia— And meeting him cried, "You must fight or give o'er!” It's the way we do things in Australia. But for reasons best known to himself, quoth J. L.— " Why, how can I fight when I'm doing so well?" " If you'll fight," answered Slavin, "I'll give you— Hades!" It's the way we do things in Australia. It's the way, etc. Australians in England! Great Caesar! what fun!— It's the way we do things in Australia— So Australia, as usual, would not be outdone— It's the way they do things in Australia. On finding America nothing would do, And the prospects of England were looking so blue, Sent to London to battle not one, no, but two— It's the way we do things in Australia. It's the way, etc. How manly the battle was fought well we know— It's the way they do things in Australia; How Paddy straightforwardly owned he'd no show – It's the way we do things in Australia; How victor and vanquished each other did scan, And how hand-in-hand (Australia's own plan) Paddy owned in Peter he'd now met his man It's the way we do things in Australia And now we've a long line of champions in hand - It's the way we do things in Australia; The champion we're longing to shake by the hand – It's the way we do things in Australia. With a long list of fighters with records unfurled. Who have right and left, all their challenges hurled; And you'll find we've the champion – the Best in the World – That's the way we do things in Australia.
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